2008 GERMAN GP

The revised MP4-23 and Hamilton were the quickest combination around Hockenheim in 2008, as proved by a comfortable pole position, but Mclaren’s strategy forced him to pull out a great drive.

Things started well. Hamilton led from the off and was 11.8s clear of Felipe Massa’s Ferrari after 35 of the 67 laps. But then Timo Glock’s Toyota suffered a suspension failure and crashed, bringing out the safety car.

Strangely, Mclaren decided not to bring Hamilton in, even after the rest of the field peeled off. The team thought that the safety car period would be short, and that Hamilton would have enough time to rebuild a gap before he had to pit.

Wrong. Hamilton had just nine laps between the race recommencing and having to make his second stop. He thus emerged fifth with 17 laps to go, despite having charged off into the distance at the restart.

Team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, who had struggled for pace all weekend, didn’t pose too much of a problem. Nor did Nick Heidfeld, who was trying a similar strategy in his BMW and soon pitted. But ahead lay Nelson Piquet Jr, there by virtue of a perfectly timed stop and leading a GP for the first time, and championship contender Massa.

Massa was struggling with his brakes and Hamilton dived past into second on lap 57. He was now 2.1s behind the leading Renault. Hamilton was on Piquet’s gearbox within two tours and, on lap 60, returned to his rightful place at the front after going down the inside of the Renault at the Spitzkehre hairpin (pictured, right).

“That dazzling pace had regained him the victory the tactical call had almost lost him,” said our report.